RoobyDoobs
Well-Known Member
As a newbie to the site, I wanted to tell you all what an absolute pleasure it is to find a forum full of experienced horsey people who are willing to offer helpful advice to each other! Especially the regulars who seem happy to help with constructive, non-judgemental advice.
After supporting my daughter with riding lessons and pony camp etc for many years, I decided to take the plunge 3 years ago and have a go myself. I have always loved horses, but never had the cash as a single parent to do anything for myself. During that 3 years, I have come across all manner of allegedly friendly, helpful people who in hindsight gave me bad and misguided advice. Whats even worse, I think, was that if they werent offering advice they were sniggering behind my back watching me struggle. Its been such a roller coaster ride, where one moment I was deliriously happy with the horse I was sold (yes, I was taken for a ride big time and didnt understand how poor she was when I bought her), to being wrist slittingly depressed when I had to accept that after 12 months of good feed and grazing, she became far too much for me to handle and I had to part with her.
On the bright side, I have learnt a whole lot, and after 3 years of lots of expense, many lousy riding lessons, and several horse experiences, I am settled on a lovely yard ( 1 year now) with lovely YO & employees who are always happy and willing to help, with a beautiful horse who is absolutely perfect for me. I also have a great instructor now who listens to me and understands what I need. Im really looking forward to next year, when some lovely friends and I will be riding the Jack Mitton Way, and will be taking the horses off to the Cotswolds and various other places for hols. Cant wait!!!
I guess my point is that I really wish I had discovered the forum a long time ago..... there were times when it would have been absolutely invaluable to me!
After supporting my daughter with riding lessons and pony camp etc for many years, I decided to take the plunge 3 years ago and have a go myself. I have always loved horses, but never had the cash as a single parent to do anything for myself. During that 3 years, I have come across all manner of allegedly friendly, helpful people who in hindsight gave me bad and misguided advice. Whats even worse, I think, was that if they werent offering advice they were sniggering behind my back watching me struggle. Its been such a roller coaster ride, where one moment I was deliriously happy with the horse I was sold (yes, I was taken for a ride big time and didnt understand how poor she was when I bought her), to being wrist slittingly depressed when I had to accept that after 12 months of good feed and grazing, she became far too much for me to handle and I had to part with her.
On the bright side, I have learnt a whole lot, and after 3 years of lots of expense, many lousy riding lessons, and several horse experiences, I am settled on a lovely yard ( 1 year now) with lovely YO & employees who are always happy and willing to help, with a beautiful horse who is absolutely perfect for me. I also have a great instructor now who listens to me and understands what I need. Im really looking forward to next year, when some lovely friends and I will be riding the Jack Mitton Way, and will be taking the horses off to the Cotswolds and various other places for hols. Cant wait!!!
I guess my point is that I really wish I had discovered the forum a long time ago..... there were times when it would have been absolutely invaluable to me!
But on here If you are unnessecarily nasty you usually get frightened away by the "old nags" 
xxx
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